United Kingdom v. Commission of the European Union Pays/Territoire Union européenne, Royaume-Uni Type de cour Cour internationale Date Nov 23, 2005 Source UNEP, InforMEA Nom du tribunal European Court of Justice Siège de la cour Luxembourg Juge J.D. Cooke, R. Garcia-Valdescasas, I. Labucka Numéro de référence T-178/05 Langue Anglais Sujet Environnement gén., Air et atmosphère Mot clé Normes de qualité de l'air Santé publique Qualité de l'air/pollution de l'air Normes environnementales Résumé The Court of First Instance has ruled that the Commission was wrong when it refused to accept an upward revision in the amount of carbon allowances it wanted to give UK industry for the scheme's first phase of 2005-2007. The Commission's basic fear that, if countries could increase allocations, then the environmental aims of the scheme could be undermined, was found to be “exaggerated” by the Court. The most important aspect of the judgment is that Member States have the right to amend allocation plans (NAPs) at any time before distributing allowances, with the only precondition that the European Commission must approve all NAPs and any revisions. The criteria the Commission must use include a test of whether the allocation is consistent with a country's Kyoto target to limit greenhouse gas emissions. This case marks the first jurisprudence on the allocation scheme. The EC Commission published a review of its environmental policy in 2005. Where climate change is concerned, no mention is made of this judgment. The Policy concentrates more on the future steps necessary to ensure that environmental issues are reflected in all policymaking. This generally demands changes in political, organisational and procedural activities, so that environmental issues are taken on board as early as possible and continuing during implementation. Texte intégral United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland v.Commission of the European Communities. 23-11-2005 english.pdf Site web curia.europa.eu